A New Jersey highway was transformed into a colourful, chocolatey scene of chaos on Thursday after an articulated lorry carrying millions of M&M's candies overturned, spilling its sugary cargo across multiple lanes.
The dramatic incident occurred on the southbound side of Route 17 in Lodi, New Jersey, during the morning rush hour. Emergency services rushed to the scene where they discovered the lorry lying on its side, with a river of red, yellow, and brown chocolate candies pouring from its ruptured trailer.
Major Traffic Disruption
The spillage caused significant disruption to the morning commute, with authorities forced to close several lanes for hours. Clean-up crews faced the mammoth task of clearing thousands of pounds of loose chocolate from the roadway, using industrial equipment to scoop up the sweet debris.
Local police described the scene as "unlike any other accident we've dealt with", noting the unusual challenge of dealing with a product spill of this nature. "The main concern was making the road safe again. It was incredibly slippery," a spokesperson commented.
Investigation Underway
Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the accident. Early reports suggest the lorry may have been attempting to change lanes when the incident occurred. Fortunately, the driver escaped with only minor injuries and was treated at the scene.
Representatives from Mars Wrigley, the manufacturers of M&M's, have been notified about the incident. The company has yet to comment on the estimated value of the lost merchandise or the environmental impact of the clean-up operation.
The clean-up continued throughout the day, with all lanes finally reopening by the afternoon. Motorists were advised to find alternative routes during the operation.
